Windows News and info 15th Anniversary 2009-2024
Other Operating Systems => Fixes => Windows 7 All => Windows 7 | Windows 9 => Hardware => Topic started by: javajolt on March 25, 2010, 07:22:40 PM
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Zalman Z7 Plus
Previously known for expensive and relatively-exclusive cases like the LQ1000, GT1000, Fatal1ty, and TNN series, Zalman surprised us by sending the least-expensive “mainstream” gaming-system enclosure of today’s comparison
(http://i40.tinypic.com/2qkr09f.jpg)
Though moderately-priced, the Z7 Plus top panel still includes eSATA connectivity and a tilt-in cover.
(http://i40.tinypic.com/s2ry9l.jpg)
The second feature that vendors seem to like applying to the “game case” theme is a fan controller, and Zalman includes one on the side panel.
(http://i39.tinypic.com/x4od54.jpg)
Another feature shared by all of today’s gaming cases is support for external liquid cooling, which Zalman accomplishes with holes that have rubber grommets.
(http://i44.tinypic.com/4so3km.jpg)
Screw-free card latches that are functionally identical to those found in Cooler Master’s Storm Sniper separate the Zalman Z7 Plus from today’s other sub-$100 case. On the other hand, Zalman goes a bit cheap by using knock-out slot covers rather than the replaceable variety.
Inside The Z7 Plus
Made from a light-gauge steel sheet of similar thickness compared to its NZXT competitor, Zalman’s Z7 Plus is still quite a bit more rigid, which is probably due to its more heavily boxed drive cage and lack of cable pass-through holes. However, Zalman retains the access hole for CPU cooler support plates and also uses rolled edges, like its competitor, to increase panel rigidity and eliminate sharp edges.
(http://i40.tinypic.com/2hqulpu.jpg)
Twist-out EMI shields fill three of the Z7 Plus’ nine 5.25” bays, creating the case’s only scratch hazard during the removal process. Screw holes allow these shields to be re-installed.
(http://i39.tinypic.com/6sex68.jpg)
A single 120mm blue LED fan cools Zalman’s five-drive, four-bay adapter cage. Rubber grommets and shoulder screws reduce the transmission of noise between the hard drives and case panels.
A tray under the drive cage accepts a single 3.5” or 2.5” internal drive, and can be used with a removable face panel for 3.5” external drives.
(http://i44.tinypic.com/25qycn6.jpg)
The Z7 Plus includes two 120mm side fans, but only one is pre-installed. The side-fan controller supports both fans via three-pin connections, but its four-pin power input could cause interference between the power supply's cable end and expansion cards. Thus, it’s best used with right-angle power plugs.
Building With The Z7 Plus
The Z7 Plus includes a basic user's manual, a second side-panel fan, and a bag filled with standoffs, standard screws for the motherboard, shoulder screws for the hard drive cage, and cable ties.
(http://i44.tinypic.com/dze7hh.jpg)
Our preference for a desktop placement led us to install the optical drive in a center bay. Removing the drive adapter tray from the bottom and placing it on top gave us a handy place to stuff excess cable.
Zalman doesn’t provide a top-panel exhaust fan, but the power supply’s intake fan serves the same function.
(http://i42.tinypic.com/xc4p07.jpg)
Notice that the Z7 Plus, like its NZXT competitor, forced us to overlap the hard drive and graphics card. Repositioning the hard drive cage allows cards up to 16.8” long to be installed through the drive bays, but the space between the back of a 3.5” hard drive and slot panel is only 10.44.”
(http://i40.tinypic.com/69nyus.jpg)
Pre-installing only one of the Z7 Plus’ two included side fans makes sense, since Zalman is also a CPU cooler company. Leaving the top fan out allows extra space for oversized coolers, such as our test platform’s 120mm tower.
source:tomshardware continued